These two unimaginable nationwide parks are a couple of three-hour drive from one another, however there’s masses to see on the way in which… highway journey!
Should you’re up early, you may see a few of Yosemite Nationwide Park and Sequoia Nationwide Park in a day. However, I’d suggest taking your time and hanging round at each. Even if you happen to don’t need to go mad on the mountain climbing, you may simply absorb the ambiance and luxuriate in your environment.
Yosemite Nationwide Park might be essentially the most well-known within the area, buried within the Sierra Nevada mountains, and residential to waterfalls, canyons, cliffs and glacier factors. Sequoia then again is far more unfold out – and usually quieter and calmer. Finally, they’re each properly price visiting, and I’m very jealous you’re (pondering of?) going.
Should you do a highway journey from Yosemite to Sequoia Nationwide Park you’ll be capable to see the true pure fantastic thing about California. I feel I managed to tick off a complete nature bucket record on this brief distance. There’s waterfalls, lakes, forests, and extra to discover – don’t overlook these highway journey snacks both.
I’ve detailed all the finest locations to see on a highway journey from Yosemite to Sequoia Nationwide Park beneath!
11 Locations to See on a Street Journey from Yosemite to Sequoia Nationwide Park
Benefit from California’s unimaginable and various nature as you drive from one park to a different – the right method to feast your eyes on greenery, glaciers and glassy lakes.
See the map of the highway journey right here
1. Tunnel View, Yosemite
Begin your journey with the enduring Tunnel View. It’s the right introduction to the majestic fantastic thing about Yosemite, providing a shocking panorama of the valley. The primary glimpse of Yosemite Valley with El Capitan and Half Dome is simply unimaginable. I felt like I used to be in a nature documentary, besides… it was all actual.
The view is iconic, and regardless of what number of images you’ve seen, nothing beats seeing it in individual. Should you occur to be there at dawn then you definately’ll actually see one thing particular.
2. Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite
Only a brief drive from Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall is one other cease it’s essential to make. The waterfall is particularly spectacular within the spring and early summer time. It’s 188m excessive and will get its title from, properly, trying like a bride’s veil.
Getting sprayed by the mist was fairly refreshing after a little bit of a stroll up there. It’s a must-see for its sheer magnificence and simple accessibility.
3. Mariposa Grove, Yosemite
Strolling among the many big sequoias in Mariposa Grove is like being a tiny creature in an enormous’s world. The Grizzly Big and California Tunnel Tree are simply unimaginable and virtually a bit surreal. It’s a staunch reminder of how magnificent nature actually is. Actually two timber listed below are among the many largest sequoias on the earth.
Anyway – simply in case you’ve had sufficient of me speaking timber – there’s a lot of different issues to do at Mariposa Grove. You possibly can go mountain climbing and even snowboarding throughout winter. Yeah, undecided how that works.
4. Fish Camp
Simply exterior Yosemite Nationwide Park is Fish Camp, a cute little city that’s residence to the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. This historic steam practice, a remnant of the logging days of the early 1900s, promised an journey again in time, and it definitely delivered. As you board the vintage practice, you’ll little question really feel nostalgic with its picket benches and the conductors conventional clothes.
The practice journey itself was nothing wanting wonderful. As we chugged alongside the narrow-gauge observe, the landscapes of the Sierra Nationwide Forest enveloped us. You possibly can see sugar pines and cedars, which make it much more magical.
5. Bass Lake, Madera County
Roughly half an hour from Mariposa Grove is Bass Lake. It’s 5 miles lengthy and the right spot if you happen to take pleasure in watersports. You may also go swimming within the coves dotted round, which is a pleasant break if you happen to’ve been caught within the automobile for some time.
Even if you happen to’ve already carried out just a few hikes and treks on this highway journey from Yosemite to Sequoia Nationwide Park, the walks round Bass Lake are fairly wonderful. The Approach of the Mono Path (named after inhabitants of the world) is simply over half a mile and ends with nice views from the highest.
6. Fresno Flats Historic Park, Oakhurst
Put together to step again in time to the nineteenth century at Fresno Flats, on the time of gold mining. The museum and park home buildings of the time, which you’ll be able to see by way of guided excursions. Relying on while you go to, you’ll additionally be capable to do workshops like cooking or sq. dancing.
7. Sierra Nationwide Forest
You is likely to be sick of seeing nationwide parks on this itinerary of stops to see on the highway journey from Yosemite to Sequoia Nationwide Park, however this one is unquestionably price it.
You possibly can cease off for a hike, or simply take within the drive by way of the park. It’s received panoramic views of mountains, lakes and the forest, that are lovely. You could possibly – if you happen to’re feeling courageous sufficient – go for a swim too. Though, it’s fairly chilly so be ready
8. Fresno Metropolis
Fresno is sort of an essential metropolis in California, particularly relating to agriculture. So that you’ll discover a lot of farms and orchards there. Ensure you cease off at a restaurant to attempt to scrumptious native meals. It’s notably identified for citrus fruits, peaches, grapes, tomatoes, almonds and extra. Oh and it’s additionally dubbed ‘Raisin World Capital’.
Whereas in Fresno, be sure to go to the Forestiere Underground Gardens, that are underground passageways, grottos and courtyards constructed by a Sicilian dwelling there over the course of 40 years. It’s fairly spectacular to see what one man was able to in his lifetime.
9. Blue Ridge Vista Level
The Blue Ridge Vista Level is a shocking spot alongside the freeway. The vista level, located at a excessive elevation, affords a sweeping panorama of the encompassing Sierra Nevada vary. You possibly can attain it by automobile – it’s particularly beautiful within the autumn.
The sight of rolling hills, deep valleys, and rugged mountain peaks stretching so far as the attention may see is properly well worth the photograph cease.
10. Hume Lake
One other cease, one other lake. However once more, it’s one other pure magnificence spot that you just don’t need to miss out on. Though technically, Hume Lake is a reservoir.
It’s used so much for Christian camps, however there’s additionally non-public cabins to lease if you happen to fancy turning your highway journey from Yosemite to Sequoia Nationwide Park into an in a single day keep. There’s watersports and seaside actions that happen on and round Hume Lake, making it a cute little getaway between these two locations.
11. Sequoia Nationwide Park
Positioned within the southern Sierra Nevada mountains of California, this park is famend for its towering sequoia timber (if it wasn’t clear from the title), that are among the many largest and oldest dwelling organisms on Earth.
The center of my go to was the Big Forest, residence to 5 of the ten largest timber on the earth. Probably the most well-known amongst them, the Common Sherman Tree, is taken into account the most important dwelling tree by quantity. Standing on the base of Common Sherman, you may see simply how large these timber really are.
A spotlight of my journey was the climb up Moro Rock, a big granite dome providing panoramic views of the park and the Nice Western Divide. The stairway to the highest is carved into the rock. Though it’s a bit tough-going, the vistas are well worth the effort. Should you can time it proper, get to the highest of Moro Rock at sundown.
One other fascinating function of Sequoia Nationwide Park is Crystal Cave, a marble karst cave adorned with stalactites, stalagmites, and move stones. The guided tour by way of the cave revealed a hidden underground world, with intricate formations and streams.